Opinions & Interviews

Belarus promised USA’s support in joining WTO

MINSK, 1 November (BelTA) – Belarus can count on support of the United States of America on the way to joining the World Trade Organization, BelTA learned from Chargé d’Affaires of the USA in Belarus Jenifer Moore during the Kastrycnicki Economic Forum (KEF).

Jenifer Moore noted that joining the WTO is not an easy process and the USA welcomes the fact that after quite a lengthy pause Belarus rather seriously stepped up its efforts in this direction in the last few years.

The diplomat pointed out that WTO accession is not a political process but more of a technical one. “Success depends on the hard work of technical experts,” Jenifer Moore stressed. “There is also kind of a variable – commitment of political nature, commitment to trade liberalization and the relevant reforms. WTO members want to see how much the Belarusian leadership is committed to ideas of a liberal trade regime and market,” she explained.

This is why WTO accession can be considered as an element for stimulating domestic reforms. “I hope it is so even if time may be needed for it. You can count on the United States in this regard,” the diplomat assured. “Along the way forward we will help Belarus implement such changes so that all companies – private and state ones alike, domestic and foreign ones – could compete on equal footing. I am talking about the relevant price regulations and certainly it is necessary to ease up business operation regulations, including trade terms. If the terms are equal, new opportunities will emerge, including opportunities for American entrepreneurs to work in Belarus.”

According to the diplomat, the American business community has been a cornerstone of Belarus-USA relations for a long time. Jenifer Moore said she believes there is optimism about the idea that as bilateral relations between the countries get better and relations between the two nations get more advanced, the contribution of investments from America will be stimulated. Jenifer Moore pointed out that American companies multiply private investments: other investors often follow American ones because the latter are in essence an indicator of the quality of an investment climate.

On the whole, according to Jenifer Moore, Belarus has every opportunity to realize its full potential. “The process of accession to the WTO, wise reforms of the private sector confirm it. The United States are ready to support Belarus in making these critical future steps for the benefit of the future of the entire Belarusian nation,” Jenifer Moore concluded.

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